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Win Over Browns Imperfect But Nonetheless Satisfying Article by McMillen & Wife Nevermind the atonement of Steelers place kicker Kris Brown. When it was all said and done, the game came down to this: the Browns had to stop Jerome Bettis. They couldn't. In spite of being outgained by a staggering margin of 428 to 187, and in spite of having QB Tim cOUCH crushed 7 times under the relentless pressure of Pittsburgh's front seven, the Browns (aided by a Pittsburgh offense that was plagued by missed opportunities all afternoon) were amazingly still clinging to life in a 12-12 deadlock at the end of regulation. In a game was perhaps the sweetest victory I've experienced since 1994, Cleveland's fate was sealed on a coin toss. On the very first play of the extra period, the Bus rumbled for 27 bone-jarring yards, and the last bastion of Cleveland resistance came crumbling down. The Steelers proceeded to run 8 straight times (7 by Bettis, who gained 48 yards on the drive) against the demoralized Browns, setting the stage for Kris Brown's redeeming 32-yard kick.
What struck me most about Brown's errant kick, however, was Bill Cowher's reaction. Cowher was applauding Brown furiously after the miss, the full glory of his chin on display, as his dejected kicker left the field. It was the supreme vote of confidence. We'll never know how major a role Cowher's jesture played on Brown's final kick, but for a player who's primary opponent is his own psyche, one can't underestimate the impact of Cowher's unwavering support. Just another example of what a great coach Bill Cowher is. Pittsburgh's defense was magnificent (as usual) once they got through a rocky first quarter. The Browns' trademark this season has been to hit big passing plays immediately following gaffes (generally turnovers) by their opponents. Early on, that's exactly what happened as Cleveland turned a Bettis safety and the ensuing short field into a quick 9-0 advantage. But from that point on, Tim Couch became Tim cOUCH, enduring seven sacks and often looking completely bewildered as his offense limped off the field following yet another 3-and-out series. You have to applaud the job Tim Lewis and the secondary did adjusting to Cleveland's short passes. At least half of cOUCH's sacks were coverage sacks. That speaks volumes about our defensive backs, particularly Chad Scott, who was all over Kevin Johnson, particularly late in the game. In the second half, Scott completely smothered the short routes that had been so effective for Cleveland early on, nearly picking off back-to-back quick passes to KJ in the 4th quarter (one of which was a sure 6 had the ball actually been on target). Scott could afford to be bold in his coverage, because the pressure of the front seven was so relentless that cOUCH didn't have time to get a deep pass off. Perhaps the most important aspect of Scott's performance was his sure tackling (he led the team with 8 solo tackles). Usually, when a corner approaches double-digits in tackles, it's a bad thing. But in the Browns' passing scheme, short passes are designed to turn into long gains due to missed tackles. Scott didn't whiff even one tackle that I can recall, and his contribution to the win can't be overstated. Speaking of the front seven, how 'bout Jason Gildon? Granted, Gildon's job was made considerably easier by the fact that he had absolutely zero concern of a running game, but still, you have to be impressed with his pressure-filled 3-sack, 7-tackle performance. Holmes was also outstanding, snagging a sack of his own as well as getting in on 9 tackles. With Porter and Bell getting most of the press lately (deservedly so), it was kinda nice to see Gildon and Holmes in the limelight for a change. On offense, two words: the Bus. If there is anyone more deserving of league MVP honors than Jerome Bettis, I'll paint myself brown and orange and run naked through the streets of Pittsburgh. The guy is a freak, I tell you, A FREAK! There's not a back in this league I'd rather watch. I haven't seen a combination of power, speed, and moves like Bettis' since Earl Campbell. And the Bus wasn't driving alone, either... he got plenty of help from outstanding play by the offensive line and in particular, FB Dan Kreider, who's outstanding blocks sprung Bettis for a number of nice gains. So the good news is, the Steelers have a Super Bowl-caliber coach, a Super Bowl-caliber defense, and a Super Bowl-caliber running game. The passing game, however, is still decidedly small caliber. On the upside, Kordell Stewart (aside from his HUGE fumble at the goal line) played another solid game. Stewart posted pretty decent numbers in spite of having Plaxico Burress drop the easiest 21-yd TD you've ever seen, having Edwards drop a great, scrambling, improvisational bomb by Stew that hit him right in the hands, and having Bruener drop an in-the-chest gimme. Even Hines Ward dropped one. But it's Burress' relapse to his half-assed ways that concerns me most. The TD drop was bad enough... it was an incredibly easy catch. What's eating me more is Burress' pattern of consistently not giving 100% (or even 60%, for that matter) on long pass plays. Stewart threw deep in his direction several times, to which Plex responded with token efforts at best, and no effort at worst. It seems like a 6'5" receiver oughta leave his feet and go up to get a ball once in awhile. Plex didn't even try on several balls that receivers like Rod Smith and Keyshawn Johnson often make look like routine catches. I just makes me sick. Burress' shortcomings aside, what a beautiful thing it is when a Browns/Steelers game has a legitimate playoff feel to it and goes down to the wire. Okay, perhaps the Browns are not a playoff team yet... but the game WAS a battle for first place in the division. It was hard fought, physical, and nail-biting. And that's exactly what a Browns/Steelers game oughta be. I can't wait for the rematch in Pittsburgh on Jan. 6th, folks. This is the best rivalry in football! Tim McMillen Webmaster, McMillen & Wife
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I must say, neutering the dawgs is always more fun than beating any other team. I can't stand their uniform and cheeto-orange helmets. Maybe we should start calling them cheetoh-heads, like cheese heads. I'm gonna keep my heiny on the Kris Brown band wagon. Only a champion can create such self-repemption. I'll be bold enough to say that this season's defense was better than any other steeler defense in the past decade. We may not have the pro-bowl statistics, but the defense unit plays in such a good consistency and maligness, that the unit as a whole seems alot beter than that of the mid-90's. Sure, we may not have Gregg Lloyd cussing off QB's, but we'll have Porter's boot. You know what? I'm gonna go out and make a custom Kendrell Bell jearsey to invest in. Bell's gonna be Rookie of the Year, YOU WATCH. Hey Tim and Sandy, if i was where you guys are, i would go out and wear a steeler jearsey every day to work. I'd Paint the score of the game on my garage. I'd rub it in they're faces so bad, and all they can do is crawl back into their cheetoh-bags. Damn cheetoh heads... From Texas (Cowgirls SUCK!!) --Rich Russell FROM THE STEELERS #1 CLEVELAND/DETROIT FAN!! KEEP UP THE WORK ON YOUR SITE I LOVE IT. TRISH WESTLAND -MI Now on to post-game comments: I am so pleased that we have Jerome Bettis on our team. He is the man. His 163 yards were pivotal in this victory over the Browns. Victory is not really the word I'm looking for though. The Steelers got the win but it surly was not a victory. How can we move the ball all over the field then get into the red zone and not score?!? We escaped Cleveland with a victory and that is great. But we have some high powered offenses coming to town real soon and If we continue this trend of not being able to finish drives, were in for hard times. Now to our receiving corps: Hines Ward is a diamond in the rough. He gives 110% every play. He'll go across the middle, block and do what ever it takes to make the play work. What makes him so special, He has heart and he knows how TO CATCH THE BALL!!!!! Plexico, Plexico Now this receiver for lack of a better word needs to be fined by the team for every dropped ball he has. Maybe then he will catch it. His heart is questionable and has not earned his pay as of yet. He cries for the ball then when it's thrown to him he drops it. Just maybe he is trying to figure out his next I caught the ball dance/calibration while in the process of catching the ball. Lets see. ( Here comes the ball. Am I going to spike it, do my first down stretch or moon walk. while he thinking this in his head the ball bounces off this fingers to the turf.) My advise to Plexico. CATCH THE DAMN BALL!!!!! Then celebrate! Offensive line: I love our Offensive Line: These guys provide holes for Bettis and company all day long. They also opened some pretty big passing lanes for Kordell through the day. This line is only going to get better each and every week. QB: Kordell is doing a fine job. Has been making a lot of good decisions with the football and has made some pretty nice looking throws. But his receivers have been killing him. Avoid the turnovers and your golden. THE DEFENSE: For a moment I though Jack Lambert was playing again!!! This unit is remarkable! I did not know if it was part of Lewis's game plan. But not putting too much pressure on Couch in the first half and then going at him from all angles in the second half was brilliant. I think the Browns offensive line had a false sense of security in the first half . Then Lewis unleashed his Defense and the offensive line did not know where the pressure was going to be coming from. This surprise the Browns and never fully recovered. We pulled the heart out of their offensive line. Couch is going to be a good QB but the Steelers kept him off balance all game long! Fantastic Job!!! There is a lot of talk on the Cleveland web page of the illegal hit Ward put on Earl Little. That was a clean hit. Ward plays hard and when called upon to block he will do it. He stays on his block and is not afraid to deliver a blow. D-back and Safety's beware Ward is in town. Overall: This is the type of play we have come to expect from a Steelers, Browns game. It was frustrating, agonizing, inspirational, and a fun game to watch. It is everything that is supposed to happen in a rivalry that has been in place since the beginning of the AFC Central Division. I would have it no other way. On a finial not. If the Steelers can find a way to score in the red zone our team will be unstoppable. Until next time. Ronald E. Stough Loyal Steelers fan for life!! Thanks again Tim!! <<< Back to Mac & Wife's
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